Former Macarthur duo fined but avoid convictions in A-League betting scandal
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MELBOURNE - Former Macarthur Bulls players Clayton Lewis and Kearyn Baccus have been ordered to pay fines of A$10,000 ($6,600) but avoided convictions for their part in a betting scandal involving manipulation of yellow cards in A-League matches.
Former New Zealand midfielder Lewis and Baccus faced a Sydney court for sentencing on Wednesday after pleading guilty to engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event.
Both players admitted to receiving payments of A$10,000 each from club captain Ulises Davila to ensure yellow cards were issued in multiple A-League matches in late-2023.
Davila, a Mexico national, has yet to enter pleas on nine charges against him. He faces court on Thursday.
Lewis and Baccus will serve a two-year conditional release order, a non-custodial sentence in Australia which allows offenders to remain in the community under conditions.
The pair's sentencing comes a month after former Western United midfielder Riku Danzaki was fined A$5,000 and convicted of fraud for deliberately earning yellow cards in A-League games so he and a friend could cash in at bookmakers. REUTERS
